Personal Philosophy Speech - Huckleberry Finn



Personal Philosophy Speech

(200 POINTS)

Huck Finn’s personal philosophy regarding the institution of slavery undergoes some changes during his Adventures down the Mississippi River. In a 2-4 minute prepared speech, explain your personal philosophy about a topic of your choosing. If your philosophy has undergone changes, explain those changes and the reasons for them.

Format: [pic]

Introduction – Tell the audience what your philosophy is.

Body – Give reasons why you live by this philosophy (3 supports).

Conclusion - Points to ponder – leave your audience with something to think about.

(See model outline on reverse)

A Word About Topics

Topics must be significant & worthy of the title “personal philosophy.” No “I believe that Superman is superior to Batman,” or “It is my personal philosophy that the Cubs will win the World Series in my lifetime.” Those are beliefs or opinions, not philosophies. A philosophy is “a system of values by which one lives” (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006).

Topic must be approved by your teacher.

You must submit your topic by December 10, 2014.

To receive full credit:

Must meet deadline

Must be present on speech days

Must include an outline & visual aid: object, poster, flip chart, or PowerPoint

Personal Philosophy Speech

Outline Model

Topic Title

I. Introduction – begins with an “attention grabber,” such as a quote, a question, a brief story, or a startling fact.

II. Body (reasons why you live by this philosophy)

A. Support one

i) example

ii) example

B. Support two

i) example

ii) example

C. Support three

i) example

ii) example

III. Conclusion – end with a thought provoking statement or question: a “point to ponder.”

Personal Philosophy Speech

Example

Random Acts of Kindness Make the World Go ’Round

I. Introduction – It’s been one of those days. You know the kind; you forgot to charge your phone and it’s dead. Dunkin Donuts sold out of your favorite donut and you burned your tongue on your hot chocolate. Your English teacher assigned another speech. And then you get home to find that the cat threw up on your bed. One of those days. And then somebody, your mom, or your brother, or the neighbor lady, says or does something unexpectedly nice: made your favorite dinner, bought you the new Modern Warfare game (and it isn’t even your birthday), or offered to take care of the cat puke for you. A random act of kindness. And suddenly, the world seems a little bit better. Random acts of kindness. They’re what make the world go ’round, what make the world a brighter place. (Visual aid: PowerPoint slides showing some of the scenarios described below)

II. Body

A. Randomness matters.

i) If you ask for it, it’s not random or spontaneous.

a) Asking my son to make me a cup of tea, versus his making me one

spontaneously.

ii) The unexpectedness is what delights.

B. Acts of kindness come in many forms.

i) Grand and dramatic versus small and simple.

a) Dropping a solid gold coin into the Salvation Army kettle.

b) Holding the door open for a woman struggling

with a stroller.

C. Random acts of kindness are contagious.

i) People who recently received a kindness are more likely to perform one for someone else.

a) Study by The President’s Commission on Kindness

ii) People who witness random acts of kindness are also more likely to perform one for someone else.

a) Lulubelle Goodun, Professor of Sociology, Everyman University

III. Conclusion – It is the randomness, the unexpectedness, that makes these acts of kindness so effective, but it is their accessibility that makes them the perfect cure for the world’s ills. Not everyone can make a grand gesture of kindness, but everyone can do something small. And their inherent contagiousness means that you don’t have to have a slick ad campaign; random acts of kindness spread pretty fast on their own. As more people catch on, I wonder how long it will take to transform the world.

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